THERE will be no “Traslacion” or traditional procession for the Black Nazarene next year but the religious festivals “Lakbayaw” and “Buling-Buling” in Tondo and Pandacan, respectively, will push through.
Thus said Mayor Honey Lacuna, adding that the “Walk of Faith” will be replacing the “Traslacion” where the image of the Black Nazarene will not be brought out for a procession.
Lacuna told the “Balitaan sa Harbor View” forum hosted by the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Assn. (MACHRA) that the traditional “Pahalik” or the kissing of the image will still be held at the Quirino Grandstand beginning at 12:01 a.m. of January 7 up to January 9, or the day of the Feast of the Black Nazarene itself.
The lady mayor said that she recently held a meeting with Quiapo Church authorities and the hijos of the Nazareno where it was agreed upon that the devotees may bring the replicas on a specific day designated for the blessing of the religious images and replicas of the Black Nazarene.
According to her, plans are being finalized by the Quiapo Church for the holding of a joint press conference that would include the announcement of routes as she assured the readiness of the Manila Police District; the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau; Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office; department of tourism, culture and the arts; social welfare deparment; Manila Health Department and the Manila Fire District, in connection with the said event.
Currently, the mayor said that the city government is awaiting the requirements or needs for the holding of said events at the Quirino Grandstand and Quiapo.
Meanwhile, Lacuna said that the Lakbayaw and Buling-Buling festivals which are both held simultaneously and in honor of the Sto. Nino in Tondo and Pandacan, respectively, will push through in January, noting that they are more sober events than the Traslacion.
“Iba kasi ang deboto ng Poong Nazareno. Iba ho sa Lakbayaw at Bulling-Buling. I have attended them, lakad lang po, tahimik at meron pa ring distancing. ‘Yung Buling-buling is mostly sayaw ng grupo-grupo. Di sila ganung kadami at walang nagtutulakan kaya di ako ninenerbiyos sa festivities na ‘yun, unike sa Nazareno, iba ang way pagpakita ng devotion at ito ay dinarayo maging ng mga taga-ibang lugar,” the mayor noted.
Lacuna urged the devotees of the Black Nazarene to practice utmost self-discipline if they want the traditional procession restored.
“Kung gusto nilang sa susunod na taon ay bumalik na sa dati, dapat ay ipakita nila kung kaya na ibalik yung dati. Ngayon, kung pwede naman nating gawin ang debosyon sa ganitong paraan, baka puwede sa susunod na taon ganito na lang,” in reference to the planned “Walk of Faith” that will take the place of “Traslacion” next year.
